Postcard Tour

Strolling in a Perfect Paradise

The Henry B. Plant Museum welcomes you to a postcard tour of the grounds of the
Tampa Bay Hotel. This guide will lead you to many of the sites that were present in 1891 and still exist today.

Transportation

The Henry Bradley Plant memorial foundation was commissioned by Margaret Plant after her husband’s death in 1899. This carved stone sculpture was erected as a tribute to Mr. Plant and his Plant System of trains and ships. The sculptor was George C. Barnard. The fountain is the oldest public art in the City of Tampa and was completely conserved in 1995.

Transportation

The Henry Bradley Plant memorial foundation was commissioned by Margaret Plant after her husband’s death in 1899. This carved stone sculpture was erected as a tribute to Mr. Plant and his Plant System of trains and ships. The sculptor was George C. Barnard. The fountain is the oldest public art in the City of Tampa and was completely conserved in 1995.

The Oak

This large live oak presided over the construction of the hotel during 1881-1891. Live oaks are noted for their longevity with lives often measured in centuries. They were given the name “live” oak due to their evergreen foliage. Tampa’s inter-bay peninsula was and still is noted for its live oak forest canopy.

The Oak

This large live oak presided over the construction of the hotel during 1881-1891. Live oaks are noted for their longevity with lives often measured in centuries. They were given the name “live” oak due to their evergreen foliage. Tampa’s inter-bay peninsula was and still is noted for its live oak forest canopy.

Au Comp de Fusil (Hunting Party)

These bronze hunting dogs were cast by Maurice Denonvilliers in France in 1890. Mr. Plant had dog kennels and hunting dogs available to guests for hunting expeditions. An 1893 photo show the dogs on the East Front near the train tracks – no squirrel. (A squirrel may have been added after the University of Tampa moved here.)

Au Comp de Fusil (Hunting Party)

These bronze hunting dogs were cast by Maurice Denonvilliers in France in 1890. Mr. Plant had dog kennels and hunting dogs available to guests for hunting expeditions. An 1893 photo show the dogs on the East Front near the train tracks – no squirrel. (A squirrel may have been added after the University of Tampa moved here.)

The Creek (also known as Biology Creek)

This creek, which originates from a spring underneath the building, flows down to the Hillsborough River. It’s moisture nourishes a thick growth of lush vegetation. For years the creek served as the location of a small zoo containing a bear and an alligator. Many citizens of Tampa cherish childhood memories of visiting the zoo and feeding the many squirrels inhabiting the park. Ultimately, the large animals were moved to a site on the Hillsborough River and became the core of what is now Lowry Park Zoological Garden.

The Creek (also known as Biology Creek)

This creek, which originates from a spring underneath the building, flows down to the Hillsborough River. It’s moisture nourishes a thick growth of lush vegetation. For years the creek served as the location of a small zoo containing a bear and an alligator. Many citizens of Tampa cherish childhood memories of visiting the zoo and feeding the many squirrels inhabiting the park. Ultimately, the large animals were moved to a site on the Hillsborough River and became the core of what is now Lowry Park Zoological Garden.

The Hillsborough River

The river, of course, was one of the outstanding features of the Tampa Bay Hotel. It served both as an entrance to the hotel for visitors arriving by boat and as a source of leisure activities for the guests. The hotel maintained a Boat House with a fleet of motor and sail boats for the guests to use.

The Hillsborough River

The river, of course, was one of the outstanding features of the Tampa Bay Hotel. It served both as an entrance to the hotel for visitors arriving by boat and as a source of leisure activities for the guests. The hotel maintained a Boat House with a fleet of motor and sail boats for the guests to use.

The Palm Walk

This avenue of Cabbage Palms was originally more extensive than the plants that remain today. The path created by the palms led to the Hydriotic Esplanade and Docks with its network of piers and boat slips.

The Palm Walk

This avenue of Cabbage Palms was originally more extensive than the plants that remain today. The path created by the palms led to the Hydriotic Esplanade and Docks with its network of piers and boat slips.

The Cannon

The cannon were originally located at Fort Brooke, which developed into the village of Tampa. As Henry B. Plant brought together the hotel complex, he had the cannon moved to the grounds where they became the center of a small fort and a tourist attraction. A garden folly.

The Cannon

The cannon were originally located at Fort Brooke, which developed into the village of Tampa. As Henry B. Plant brought together the hotel complex, he had the cannon moved to the grounds where they became the center of a small fort and a tourist attraction. A garden folly.

Carriage Entrance

The east front opened onto the gardens and gave access to those guests arriving by carriage or by water. This is a good vantage point from which to observe the elaborate architectural detail, the wide verandas and the mixture of symmetry and asymmetry which contribute to the overall concept of the building.

Carriage Entrance

The east front opened onto the gardens and gave access to those guests arriving by carriage or by water. This is a good vantage point from which to observe the elaborate architectural detail, the wide verandas and the mixture of symmetry and asymmetry which contribute to the overall concept of the building.

Rail Car Entrance

The west front welcomed those patrons arriving by rail. Because the railroad tracks ended so close to these west doors, passengers could easily descend from their railroad cars and promenade directly into the hotel’s lobby. This entrance also provided direct access into both the Music Room and Grand Salon. Notice also the curving verandas which surround these two public rooms.

Rail Car Entrance

The west front welcomed those patrons arriving by rail. Because the railroad tracks ended so close to these west doors, passengers could easily descend from their railroad cars and promenade directly into the hotel’s lobby. This entrance also provided direct access into both the Music Room and Grand Salon. Notice also the curving verandas which surround these two public rooms.

Moorish Architecture

Walking around the building, you will note the Moorish architectural theme. You can count six minarets, four cupolas and three domes which crown the roof, totaling thirteen which represents the number of months in the Islamic calendar. Plant chose this style because of its exotic appeal to the widely traveled Victorians.

Thank you

Please feel free to inquire at the museum for further information or visit our website at http://www.friendsofplantpark.com